An underlying ethos of Crowie Holdings is to be a socially responsible developer and as such a corporate social investment (CSI) committee has been established at group level. The committee is mandated to develop CSI policies and strategies and to drive CSI initiatives.
"Our strategy is to get actively involved in all our CSI activities rather than merely making monetary donations," says chairman and CEO Rowan Crowie.
Changing lives - The social reach is far and wide
The company not only sponsors community initiatives but also develops specific programmes to provide skills and employment in areas where it operates. "We work on a number of retail projects in previously disadvantaged areas and we try to make a positive impact in these areas," says Crowie Concesssions MD Siyabonga Mbanjwa, who is also the director in charge of CSI. "Our primary areas of focus are health and HIV; youth and educational programmes; and the provision of shelter and homes."
The company provides a minimum of 1% of net profit to CSI initiatives. In addition, each subsidiary company sponsors a number of educational bursaries.
Wherever possible, the company employs people from the local communities and provides onsite training programmes. The Bridge City project, for example, has resulted in individuals from the local community getting trained as bricklayers.
In addition, a percentage of the development's shares has been set aside for local community upliftment, while a percentage of the retail space has been reserved for members of the local community. "We are aware of the fact that for a development like Bridge City to be successful, there has to be local buy-in," says Mbanjwa. "As developers we have to be wary of taking advantage of communities and their environment and as such we undergo a stringent consultation process with community leaders."
The company is even cognisant of the needs of informal traders within the precincts of its retail developments. "We even provide facilities and support for informal traders," he says.
In addition, the group supports a number of charitable institutions, including the Masibambisane Day Care Centre; Othandweni Children's Home in Soweto ; the Delfos Cricket Club; the Thembisa Computer Centre and the Touch Life Centre.
